Maddie Marvelous

Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

My sister-in-law, Maddie, made her Broadway debut last night, as a member of the small ensemble cast of the new play, Next Fall. We are over-the-moon excited for her, and completely proud beyond words.

Taro and I saw the show last summer when it became a critical and box-office hit Off-Broadway, and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the emotional and intellectual impact of the show. Seriously. We are big theatre-goers and Taro grew up in a family of actors and directors, and I don't remember ever going to a show before that we had to sit in our seats afterwards for 15 minutes absorbing it and composing ourselves. Next Fall really knocked us out. I made us laugh, it made us sob, and it made us think. And we couldn't stop thinking about it.

Fast-forward to today: The show has moved to Broadway (produced by Sir Elton John, no less!) and the rave reviews hit the newsstands this morning. Ben Brantley, the senior theatre critic for The New York Times, could not have been more glowing in his assessment of Next Fall, calling it "the funniest heartbreaker in town." No joke, this play is top-notch, provocative, humane, entertaining art of the highest and rarest order, and it just so happens that my amazing sister-in-law is one of the stars that makes it so!

So, if you're in NYC or planning or visit, I urge you to check out Next Fall and experience the beauty for yourself. Order tickets here. Taro and I are giddy with excitement to see the show on Tuesday night -- my parents will be babysitting and it will be our first date since W's birth!

It is slightly surreal, but ever-so-awesome to see Maddie's photo every time we take the subway!

Maddie with friends and family at last night's opening. Photo via Broadway.com.